Timilehin Adenipekun

Course: BSc Computing with Foundation
Graduated: 2025

If I am being completely honest, when I started studying Computing at The University of Buckingham, I had no idea what I was doing. I came from a Business A-Level background and had zero prior computing knowledge. I had gotten accepted into Buckingham to study Business but I changed my mind last minute and chose to pursue computing. On top of that, I was only 17 when I started. I remember feeling excited, but also quietly terrified. Everyone around me seemed more prepared, more certain, and more experienced. I wasn’t sure if I truly belonged.

Foundation studies

Seeing as I did not have the pre-requisites to study computing, I started with the foundation year programme, and that changed everything for me. It didn’t just teach me the fundamentals of computing, it gave me confidence. It allowed me to build my knowledge slowly and properly, instead of constantly feeling like I was catching up.

What I especially appreciated about the foundation year was its strong focus on academic skills. Although I studied core computing modules, much of the year was dedicated to developing skills that are essential for success at university – modules like Academic Writing Skills, Critical Thinking, Research Skills, and Digital Skills. At the time, I did not fully realise how valuable that emphasis would be.

Those modules shaped how I approached learning. They strengthened my ability to write structured technical reports, deliver confident presentations, analyse problems critically, and engage with research properly.

As I progressed through my degree, I began to notice the difference. I felt more prepared when writing coursework and more confident presenting my work. Studying computing is not just about coding, it is still an academic discipline, and the ability to think clearly, write well, and communicate ideas effectively matters just as much as technical skill.

By the time I moved into the main degree, something had shifted. I no longer felt behind. In fact, in some areas, I felt stronger than I expected because my technical and academic fundamentals were solid. The critical thinking skills I developed during the foundation year stayed with me throughout the rest of my degree.

Studying Computing at Buckingham

One thing I truly valued was the small class environment. I wasn’t just one of hundreds in a lecture theatre. My lecturers knew my name. I could ask questions without feeling silly. I had regular meetings with my personal tutor, which made a huge difference. Every lecturer I learned from was knowledgeable and clearly passionate about their subject. Being able to engage with them directly helped me understand concepts more deeply.

Because our cohort was small, we formed genuine camaraderie. We went through the intensity of a two-year accelerated degree together. It was fast. It was stressful. Deadlines came quickly. But we supported one another. There was comfort in knowing everyone personally, in sharing frustrations, celebrating together, and pushing each other to do better.

I also appreciated having dedicated computing spaces and access to technology. There was always somewhere to study, to focus, to build. The course itself was very coursework-driven, which I personally preferred. I liked applying knowledge to practical scenarios rather than simply memorising theory.

Student life

Alongside my studies, I stepped into leadership roles that I would never have imagined myself taking on. I became an executive member of the Computer Science Society, a Student Ambassador, and a Student Representative. These roles pushed me outside my comfort zone. They taught me how to speak confidently, represent others, and take initiative. Being trusted with responsibility helped me see myself differently.

Final year project

My final-year project was a moment of real pride. It brought together everything I had learned over the three years. With the guidance of my supervisor, Dr. Naseer Al-Jawad, I was able to develop something meaningful and technically strong. Completing it felt like proof that I had survived the degree, and that I had grown into it. If you had told 17-year-old me that I would graduate with First-Class Honours, I genuinely would not have believed you. I started with very little confidence.

My journey hasn’t been about being naturally gifted, it has been about growth. Finishing as one of the top graduands is something I am deeply proud of. It is the result of consistency, determination, and the support of the people around me. I will always remember Buckingham as the place where I matured, and that is something I will always carry with me.